
YMS NEWS
York Middle School December/January Newsletter
Be Safe, Be Respectful, Be Responsible
Greetings YMS Parent(s)
We had a fantastic first semester. Students have grown academically. Teachers have been constantly challenging them to think critically, be creative, problem-solve, and collaborate with other students.
While we certainly have been busy growing academically, we also have seen tremendous growth socially and emotionally at YMS. The adults in this building pride themselves on developing the whole child as they navigate through some of the busiest times for a change in their young lives.
As we finish our first semester this year and say goodbye to 2023 I would like to ask for your help in a few different areas to help improve your child’s experience at YMS:
Remind your child(ren) that the last few weeks of this semester are critical. We have many important education topics to discuss and experiences to encounter to finish off a positive first semester. Encourage them to run all the way to the finish line.
Continue to foster a growth mindset at home. Encourage the process, not the ability. Remind them that it is ok to fail, but not OK to quit and that it is always possible to improve any situation.
This is a challenging time for young people and sometimes they can have doubts about themselves. Help remind your child(ren) during this period of doubt that the only thing that matters is how you see yourself.
Now that the normal daily temperature has fallen please try to make sure your student(s) are dressed for the weather. Even though it might be a bit colder, most of the time we will be sending kids outside at noon recess. We will not go outside if it is dangerously cold but will send them out if only to, as my dad would say, “blow the stink off of em” and let them release some energy.
In our Friday assembly meetings, we talk about five ways to deal with a bully. These steps empower students to begin to manage their actions when faced with bullying behaviors.
Ignore- Acting like you don’t care can deter a bully.
Walk Away- Walking confidently away can let the bully know that you are not going to be bullied.
Talk Friendly- “Please stop saying/doing that to me.” “I really don’t like it when you do/say that.”
Talk Firmly- “Stop that! Don’t say/do that again! I have had enough!”
Tell an adult- When all of these steps have failed it is time to tell an adult.
We also have discussed with students a saying that states, ”The only thing that matters is how you see yourself!” We tell kids if you think you are strong, caring, brave, kind, confident, curious, genuine, and self-reliant then you are!
I hope you take time during the holiday break to enjoy family and friends. Thank you for all your effort to make this first semester at YMS one of the best for your child. I can’t wait to finish off this fantastic first semester and then work hard to make the second semester even better than the first. Go, Dukes!
Kenny Loosvelt
Counselor Connection
Jennifer Badura, York Middle School Counselor
At York Middle School, our students participate in the Second Step® program once a week during Family time. This curriculum helps build a culture of connectedness and empowers middle school students with skills to succeed socially and academically.
Currently, students are discussing bullying as part of Second Step® Middle School. Bullying is at its peak in middle school, and research indicates that taking proactive steps to address bullying will help reduce occurrences of it in our school.
Second Step Middle School is designed to support your child in developing the knowledge and skills to help stop bullying. Students will learn how to recognize bullying in various contexts, how to use strategies to stand up safely to bullying, and how to seek help if they or someone they know is being bullied. We spend time talking about the differences between someone being rude, someone being mean, and someone being a bully.
Here are some key definitions your child has been learning:
• Bullying: intentional physical, verbal, or social aggression. It’s often repeated over time and occurs when there’s a real or perceived power imbalance.
• Bystander: anyone who’s aware that bullying is happening
• Mean: someone says or does something intentionally hurtful and they do it once
• Online bullying: the use of technology to harass, threaten, or intimidate another person
• Physical bullying: hurting someone’s body or possessions
• Relational bullying: hurting someone’s reputation or relationships, such as by excluding them
• Rude: someone says or does something unintentionally hurtful and they do it once
• Upstander: someone who stands up for a person being bullied
• Verbal bullying: saying or writing mean things about someone
An easy to remember strategy I share with students uses the acronym WITS to help them if someone is being rude, mean, or being a bully towards them.
W-Walk Away
I-Ignore
T-Talk it out
S-Seek help
Report Cards
We will not be mailing the 2nd quarter/semester report cards home, until the end of the school year, in May. You can access grades on the parent portal on Infinite Campus. Please direct any specific grading questions to the classroom teacher. You can access the Infinite Campus parent portal using the directions below:
·Visit https://necloud1.infinitecampus.org/campus/portal/york.jsp
· Log in with the proper username/password (contact YMS to reset password if needed)
· You may be asked to verify your device as trustworthy for security purposes.
· Select your student.
· Click the three horizontal lines on the upper left hand corner.
· You will be able to access Grades, Schedules, Attendance Records, Fees, and Documents. (Q2/Semester Report Card can be found under Documents)
🌨️ Weather-Related Updates 🌨️
In case of a weather emergency, we will follow the procedure that has been used in the past years. That procedure is as follows:
1. Radio Station Kool (103.5 FM, 1370 AM) and KTMX-FM (104.9) will again serve as our primary source for dispensing "school closing information" they are 24 hour stations.
2. If severe weather necessitates an early dismissal, a school cancellation, or information concerning school buses, it will be broadcast on Kool and KTMX.
3. Bus drivers are instructed to use good judgement in determining whether a road is passable. The Transportation Department will notify parents where children can be loaded if a specific road cannot be traveled. Buses will travel the regular routes and maintain a time schedule consistent with the conditions of the road.
4. "Emergency Messages" will be sent to our student's parents and guardians who have an email or cell phone number listed in Infinite Campus, and the YPS Staff. Information will be posted on our website at www.yorkpublic.org, on our Facebook page at York Public Schools and on Twitter at @MitchBartYPS (#yorkdukes). Parents and Guardians- please be sure the school has your current email address and cell phone number in order to be notified!!
Our Schedule for December-January
Reminders
Important Dates 📆
December 5- Band Booster Soup Supper @ YHS cafeteria-5:00
December 5- YMS Band Holiday Concert- Dec 5th @ YHS Theatre-6:00 pm
December 12- YMS Choir Concert @ YMS Gym-6:30 pm
December 22- Noon Dismissal
Christmas Break
- December 22- January 3
- January 15
Lunch Menu
Student Senate
Check out the York Middle School apparel store below!
🎶Music Notes🎶
Choir
YMS Holiday Concert
When: Tuesday, December 12th @ 6:30 pm
Where: York Middle School Gym
What to wear: Each student should wear Holiday clothing. Make sure it is school appropriate.
Other Info: Students need to be at the Middle School by 6:20 pm
Band
YMS Band Soup Supper
Soup Supper is $5 per person and includes a cup of soup, drink and dessert.
When: Tuesday, December 5th @ 5:00 pm
Where: York High School Cafeteria
YMS Holiday Band Concert
When: Tuesday, December 5th @ 6:00 pm
Where: York High School Theatre
What to wear: Concert black (all black dress clothes), business casual (no jeans, shorts)
Other Info: Students need to be at the High School by 5:35 pm
FFA
A Note from the Nurse......
Vision, hearing and dental screenings will be conducted during the 3rd quarter for 7th and 10th grade students. If a student does not meet the screening guidelines set forth by the state, a letter recommending further evaluation will be sent to the parent/guardian. If you have concerns regarding your child’s hearing, vision or dental health, please follow up with your healthcare provider, eye doctor or dentist, even if you do not receive a letter of referral. If you do not want your child to participate in these screenings, please notify the school office prior to January 12, 2024
With a new year on its way, think about making a healthier home one of your family’s resolutions.
Healthy You: Make healthy food choices, be active, make an appointment for a check - up, know your numbers--weight/blood pressure/cholesterol, wash your hands frequently, keep hands away from the T-zone (eyes/nose/mouth) and seek your healthcare provider’s guidance regarding flu vaccinations
Healthy Family: Eat more meals together as a family, encourage and model physical activity, keep pets vaccinated and healthy, spend more time together, dress for the weather and get outside for fresh air
Healthy Home: Install smoke alarms and carbon monoxide alarms on every level, avoid carbon monoxide poisoning -never use generators, grills, camp stoves, or similar devices indoors, keep cleaning products and medications away from children, have a winter weather emergency plan and stock your home and car with necessary supplies
Healthy school and workplace: Stay home if you are sick and keep your family members home if they are sick, wash hands often, participate in healthy lifestyle programs, take steps to reduce and deal effectively with stress, and help others to do the same.
Contact Us
Kenny Loosvelt, Principal
Email: kennyloosvelt@yorkdukes.org
Website: www.yorkpublic.org
Phone: (402)362-6655 option 1
Facebook: York Public Schools